Isabella Rossi
April 22, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 12-day fully private bespoke China tour guides you across five of China’s most unmissable destinations, journeying from Hong Kong through Shanghai, Zhangjiajie and Xi’an before concluding in iconic Beijing. Every stop on this hand-picked itinerary is curated to showcase the best of the country’s diverse culture, dramatic natural scenery and ancient history, with competitive pricing and secure, trusted payment processes that take the hassle out of planning your personalized trip.
This 12-day curated cross-country adventure begins in the dynamic, fusion energy of Hong Kong, travels north to cosmopolitan Shanghai, stops to explore the dramatic karst peaks of Zhangjiajie, dives into thousands of years of imperial history in ancient Xi’an, and wraps up in timeless Beijing. The route is designed to showcase China’s incredible diversity, balancing glitzy modern city life, millennia-old cultural traditions, and breathtaking natural scenery, with seamless travel arrangements that let you focus entirely on soaking in every moment of your journey.
Today is your arrival day in vibrant Hong Kong! Settle into your accommodation at your own pace, wander nearby streets to catch your first glimpse of the city’s iconic mix of towering skyscrapers and bustling street markets, and unwind before your 11-day adventure ahead. No pre-planned activities are scheduled, so you can relax or explore according to your mood.
Start your day with a delicious complimentary breakfast 🍽️, then spend the day exploring Hong Kong on your own terms. Whether you want to ride the Peak Tram for postcard-perfect skyline views, hunt for bargain souvenirs at street markets, or relax along the city’s scenic waterfront, the day is fully yours to customize.
Fuel up with a tasty morning breakfast 🍽️ before boarding your flight to cosmopolitan Shanghai. Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted to your city hotel 🏨 to unwind after travel, with the rest of the evening free to grab dinner and catch your first glimpse of Shanghai’s famous neon-lit Bund waterfront.
Kick off your full day of Shanghai exploration with a hearty complimentary breakfast 🍽️. First, dive into thousands of years of Chinese art and history at the world-renowned Shanghai Museum, then wander the classical pavilions and winding paths of Yu Garden before browsing handcrafted goods and local snacks in the lively adjacent Yuyuan Market. Next, visit a local silk production workshop to learn how China’s famous luxury silk is made from start to finish, before ending your day strolling the tree-lined streets of the Former French Concession, admiring charming colonial-era architecture and boutique shops. Both breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, and you’ll return to your Shanghai hotel for the night 🏨.
Start your travel day with a filling breakfast 🍽️, then set off on a scenic 1.5-hour drive from Shanghai to the picturesque Xitang Ancient Town, a historic water town stop en route to Zhangjiajie. Glide along Xitang’s winding, willow-lined canals on a leisurely boat ride, passing stone arch bridges and traditional wooden courtyard homes as you learn about the town’s 1,000-year history. After your exploration, you’ll continue your journey to Zhangjiajie and check into your hotel for the night 🏨.
Today is dedicated to exploring Zhangjiajie National Park’s otherworldly karst landscapes, starting with a morning breakfast 🍽️. You’ll begin your adventure in the Wulinyuan Scenic Area, then ride the dramatic Bailong Elevator (the world’s tallest outdoor lift) up to the mist-shrouded Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. From there, take a scenic cable car ride into the Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, where you’ll visit the iconic First Bridge under the Sun, a natural stone bridge spanning two cliff peaks, plus other famous rock formations like Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers and Imperial Brush Peak, before a leisurely walk along the scenic Ten-mile Gallery valley. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, before you return to your Zhangjiajie accommodation for the night 🏨.
After a morning breakfast 🍽️, you’ll explore two more of Zhangjiajie’s most stunning natural attractions before departing. First, take a peaceful boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Baofeng Lake, surrounded by steep, lush green cliff sides. Next, ride one of the world’s longest cable cars (7,455 meters long, with a 30-minute scenic journey) up to Tianmen Mountain, for sweeping panoramic views of the dramatic mountain landscape. After your exploration, you’ll travel to ancient imperial capital Xi’an and check into your hotel for the night 🏨. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️.
Wake up to a delicious breakfast 🍽️ before heading out to explore Xi’an’s most famous cultural treasures. Your first stop is the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, the 2,000-year-old army of life-sized clay sculptures built for Emperor Qin Shi Huang. After marveling at this incredible archaeological wonder, head back to the city center to wander the bustling Muslim Street, where you can browse street food stalls and traditional handicraft shops, before visiting the iconic ancient Drum Tower at the heart of the city. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, and you’ll stay overnight in your Xi’an hotel 🏨.
Start your day with a complimentary breakfast 🍽️, then enjoy a unique cultural experience before departing Xi’an: join a 1-hour Tai Chi session led by a skilled local master, who will teach you the basics of this gentle, centuries-old martial art. After your session, cycle along the top of Xi’an’s well-preserved Ancient City Wall, a historic fortification that circles the old city, for sweeping views of the city. After your ride, you’ll travel to your final destination: Beijing, China’s historic capital, where you’ll check into your hotel for the night 🏨.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast 🍽️ for a full day of exploring Beijing’s most iconic imperial landmarks. Start at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square, before stepping into the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the ancient imperial palace that was home to Chinese emperors for 500 years. Next, head to the sprawling Summer Palace, a former imperial retreat dotted with ancient temples, ornate pavilions, historic bridges, and traditional theaters set along a scenic lake. End your day with a stop at a local pearl store, where you can design your own custom piece of jewelry to take home as a souvenir. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️.
After a morning breakfast 🍽️, set out for two of Beijing’s most unmissable iconic sights. First, visit the Temple of Heaven, a stunning 15th-century imperial temple where emperors once prayed for abundant harvests, surrounded by peaceful ancient cypress groves. Then, head outside the city to the beautifully restored Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, where you’ll explore a 1.4-mile stretch of the wall dotted with 22 preserved blockhouses and watchtowers, with incredible views of the wall snaking across forested mountain ridges. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️.
Today is your departure day from Beijing! Enjoy a complimentary breakfast 🍽️ before checking out of your hotel 🏨, with plenty of time to grab any last-minute souvenirs before you head to the airport for your onward journey.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 22, 2026
I’ve done group tours across Asia before, but this private bespoke option was a complete game-changer. Our guide in Xi’an was incredibly knowledgeable about Han dynasty history, and our guide in Beijing took us to a local dumpling spot off the tourist trail that was incredible. The route from Hong Kong up to Beijing made geographic sense, so we didn’t waste any time backtracking or taking unnecessary flights. Even with four different stops besides Hong Kong, the schedule never felt rushed or overwhelming. I’m already planning my next China trip with this same format.
February 14, 2026
This tour was absolutely flawless from start to finish, worth every penny.
October 3, 2025
Traveling as a couple, we loved that everything was fully private so we could go at our own slow pace. We got to stop for extra photos along Shanghai’s Bund and linger in the Forbidden City in Beijing as long as we wanted. Every transfer and booking went smoothly with zero hiccups.
September 8, 2025
As a first-time visitor to China, I was worried about navigating language barriers and logistics, but this tour took care of everything. I got to see all the iconic sites I’d dreamed of, from Zhangjiajie’s Avatar mountains to the Great Wall outside Beijing, and enjoyed every single minute.
July 21, 2025
Starting in Hong Kong and ending in Beijing, this 12-day trip hit every highlight I wanted without feeling overpacked. Our private guide in Zhangjiajie knew all the best hidden viewpoints that weren’t swarmed with tourist groups, and the private car between sites was so comfortable. I especially loved the extra time we got to spend at the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, where our guide shared so much context I never would have gotten from a guidebook. I can’t recommend this bespoke tour enough for anyone who wants to see China on their own terms.
June 19, 2025
Best family vacation we’ve ever had, we’ll definitely be back to China.
March 12, 2025
This private bespoke tour was the perfect way to see China’s most iconic spots.
January 20, 2025
All the tour planning and service was absolutely perfect, but we visited during a very wonderful week in Zhangjiajie and couldn’t see the famous cliff formations we’d traveled to see. That’s just bad luck with the season, not any fault of the tour. We still had an amazing time across all the other cities.
December 18, 2024
Our consultant Ethan from HelloChinaTrip built this tour exactly around our love of hiking and ancient history. Every stop felt tailored just for us, with no rushed group schedules to juggle.
